US engineer Jacobs has won a design-and-build contract for a $500m water purification plant in Los Angeles.

The Donald C Tillman Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF) will gather and store groundwater at the city’s Hansen Spreading Grounds – a depression where surface water is allowed to percolate into the subsoil.

Microfiltration, reverse osmosis and ultraviolet oxidation will then be used to purify more than 15 million gallons a day.

The facility is intended to reduce the amount of water imported into Los Angeles, and will also treat tertiary effluent from the existing Donald C Tillman Water Reclamation Plant.

Jacobs is working on behalf of the LA Sanitation and Environment (LASAN) and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP).

The project has been awarded funding from the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, which fast-tracks US investment through long-term, low-cost loans.

Ron Williams, Jacobs’ senior vice president, said: “Jacobs’ selection by LASAN and LADWP to help secure the city’s long-term water supplies with an advanced water purification facility is one of several transformative projects happening in the state to address drought concerns in California.

“Water scarcity is a growing issue across the globe. Taking this innovative and collaborative approach to tackle water shortages in Los Angeles offers a safe, sustainable and effective way to manage water resources and address water scarcity issues in the state.